Electrical apparatus



Oct. 19, 1937. w, ALLEN 2,096,664

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS Original Filed May 20, 1933 mm? f? i INVENTORQ.

Jae 0b! 14 AV/en Patented Oct. 19, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,096,664 ELECTRICAL APPARATUS New Jersey Application May 20, 1933, Serial No. 672,063 Renewed September 20, 1935 16 Claims;. ((31.123-148) This invention relates to electrical apparatus and more particularly to devices in which vibratory contacts are used, as for example, internal combustion engine ignition systems operating oninduction principles to supply a high tension current for the combustion of the fuel charge in the cylinders-of the engine.

For this purpose there has been employed heretofore induction coils consisting of primary and secondary windings and vibratory contacts under the influence of an electro-magnetic field created by the former and operating to produce the desired high tension current in the secondary circuit in response to the vibrations and resulting current interruption in the primary circuit. Such units have proved satisfactory for comparatively low voltage operation, such as in common automobile practice and in some phases of aircraft practice; but when it is necessary to utilize a higher voltage such as 110 volts for example, such vibrators as heretofore constructed are unsatisfactory because of the difficulty involved in producing sufliciently rapid interruption of the primary circuit without at the same time producing too much damage in the matter of wear and. de-

struction of the parts involved, particularly the contact points.

Accordingly an object of the present invention is to provide an induction system of the foregoing character which can be operated at relatively high voltages without effecting any appreciable damage or shortening of the life of the vibrating element and the parts associated therewith.

In each of the two embodiments herein disclosed this object is obtained by introducing a third winding which takes the place of the primary and secondary windings so far as operation of the vibrating contact is concerned, and by providing means operating to convert the circuit through the primary winding of the induction coil into one of an oscillatory character, so that the current which is ordinarily dissipated at the contact points of the vibrator, is alternately stored and discharged to generate the desired high tension current in the secondary circuit leading to the spark plugs of the engine or other device to be supplied.

Other features of the invention reside in the specific combinations and association of parts, considered both electrically and physically, and in the manual control means therefor, as will appear more fully from the following description,

when read with reference to the accompanying drawing. It is to be understood, however, that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration only and is not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawing, 5 Fig. 1 shows, partially in diagram and partially in'c-entral section, the invention applied to an ignition system of an internal combustion engine;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a second embodiment of the invention; and. 10 Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the manual control means.

Referring to the drawing, and particularly to Fig. l, the invention is therein shown embodied in an induction coil consisting of a primary winding 15 5 wound upon a soft iron wire or laminated core 4 and a secondary winding I wound upon the primary winding 5, but separated therefrom by an insulating wrapper 8, and a second coil 9 axially spaced from the windings 5 and I and wound 20 upon a sleeve II in which a core 3 is received, and held against axial displacement by a flange I2 on said sleeve. A spring contact l3 lies within the range of the magnetic field of the coil 9 and is adapted to be drawn toward the core, thus 25 creating a gap between the contact post II on one end of the spring I3 and an adjacent contact postl5, which, as shown is in the form of an adjustable screw threadedly engaging a metal plate l6 mounted'on a pin I! which serves to 30 ground the circuit therethrough to the metallic casing l8 enclosing the parts above enumerated. Within the metallic casing I8 is a sleeve 2| of suitable insulating material cooperating with end 5 plates 22 and 23, likewise of insulating material, 35 to completely enclose all three coils above referred to, except-for the openings in the end plate 22 for the passage therethrough of the ends 25 and. 21 of the primary and secondary windings respectively, the former being secured to the terminal screw 28, and the latter being grounded to the casing I8 as indicated at 29. The end plate 23 is also apertured to allow passage therethrough of a conductor 3| terminating in a terminal screw 32 serving for attachment of one end of a lead 33 5 which, as shown, leaves the casing l8 through an opening 34 and re-enters through openings in the cylindrical portions of the casing and the insulating sleeve 2| to connect with the other end of the primary winding 8. A second opening in .5 the sleeve 2| and casing l8 permits conductor35 to pass from a switch 31 to one end of the wind- .ing of the coil 9, the other end of the switch 31 being connected to the positive side of the source Of supply 38 by means of a conductor 39. Another 55 opening 4| in the casing I8 is provided to allow connection to be made between the non-grounded end42 of the secondary winding and the distributor 43 which functions in the conventional manner to energize the spark plugs 44 successively.

In order to cause the desired current to flow through the primary winding 5 there is provided a condenser 45 in circuit, by means of conductor 41, with the primary winding 5 and forming in conjunction therewith an oscillatory circuit whereby the normal arcing (or dissipation of energy) that would otherwise occur on each vibration of the spring I3 is utilized to produce a current flow through the winding 5 which in turn generates high voltage in the secondary .'winding 1 for distribution to the spark plugs 44.

4 of lower resistance.

In operation, closure of the switch 31 completes a circuit passing from the positive side of the source of supply 38 through conductor 39,

switch 31 and conductor 35 to the coil 9, thence through the terminal pin 3| and spring l3 to the stationary contact post l5, the spring l3 being flexed so as to normally engage said contact post. From the contact post I5 the current returns to the negative side of the source 38 by way of the grounded terminal i1. The magnetic field created by the energization of the winding 9 operates to draw the spring l3 away from the contact post l5, thereby-shunting the current from source 38 to the primary winding 5 and condenser 46, the shunt circuit passing by way of lead 33 to said primary winding 5 and condenser.

Inasmuch as this shunt circuit is of much higher resistance, there is a decrease in current flow from source 38 and an attendant weakening in the magnetic power of the coil 9. -Thereupon spring l3 responds to its own resilience and again assumes the circuit closing position, to re-establish the direct return circuit The condenser 46 is thus given an opportunity to discharge (if it has been fully charged previously) and is made ready for a further storage of energy on the next vibration of the spring l3. It will therefore be seen that an oscillatory current is caused to flow through the primary winding 5, and the effect of this will be to generate a high voltage in the secondary winding 1 for distribution to the spark plugs.

An alternative arrangement for energizing the primary winding 5 is indicated in Fig. 2. As shown diagrammatically in the latter figure a connection 5| is provided between the lead 35 and the condenser 46, the latter being in series with the primary winding 5 as in'Fig. Land the other end of the primary winding being connected to the vibrator terminal 32 by the lead 33 as in Fig. 1. With this arrangement the operation difiers somewhat from that of Fig. 1 in that the source 38 is completeiyeliminated each time vibrator |3 opens,- and the oscillatory circuit constituted by the" condenser 45 and the primarywinding, 5 is energized by the energy stored in the winding of the electro-magnet 9,

, of the energy which is commonly wasted at the vibrating contacts) is the same in this embodiment of the invention as in the embodiment h W F s- It is sometimes considered desirable to provide means fornormally holding the contacts |4 and l5 disengaged so that in the event of an accidental closing. of the switch 31 there will induction coil control per se.

pin 42 normally abuts the resilient armature i3, and in response to the urge of a spring 43 acts to maintain said armature l3 flexed rearwardly sumciently to separate it from the contact post l5, the pin 42 being supported for sliding movement by any suitable means, preferably the bracket l6 previously described. Any' suitable means may be provided for withdrawing the pin 42 by the exertion of a pull on the end of the rod 4| and thereby overcome the pressure of the spring 43. As shown, such means takes the form of a flexible link 46, the tension of which is controlled by the coil portion 41 and the ends of which are connected respectively to the rod 4|, as indicated at 48, and to one arm of a bell crank 49 constituting part of a clutch actuating mechanismof the type more fully disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No.

488,495, of which the present application, in so far as it relates to the control of the armature I3, is a continuation in part. The opposite end of the bell crank is shown as manually operable through'the instrumentality of a plunger 5| having the added function of controlling the closure of contacts 52- and 53 in the circuit to an electric starting motor forming no part of the present invention. For claims to the motor energizing and clutch actuating functions of the plunger 5|, either per se or in combination with the ignition controlling function thereof, refer-.

ence is to be had to my co-pending application above identified; the claims herein being to the From the foregoing it will be apparent that uponapplication of a downward pull on the plunger 5| the connecting rod 4| of the ignition coil will be pulled to theright, as viewed in Fig.

3, by' 'means of the connection with the bell crank 43, thereby permitting the spring'armature l3 to move the contact |4 into engagement with contact l5 and thus place the parts in condition for electro-magnetic actuation thereof as soon as; the switch 31 is closed. If it is desired to have the circuit closed simultaneously with the movement which actuates the connecting rod 4|, the switch 31 may be omitted, or kept normally closed.

Although the invention has been described in connection with a specific embodiment and application, to wit, fuel ignition, the principles involved are susceptible of numerousother applications which will readily occur to persons skilled in the art. The invention is therefore to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

For claims to those disclosed structural elements which are capable of use, per se, apart from the system claimed herein, reference is to be had to my co-pending application No. 134,905,

flledApril 3, 1937.

The present application is a continuation, in part, of my application No. 488,495, flied October 13, 1930.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the class described, in combination with a battery and a circuitsupplied by said battery, a switch in said circuit biased to the closed position, an electro-magnet also in said circuit and adapted when energized to open said switch and thereby de-energize itself, an inducing to effect an oscillatory flow of current therethrough. I y

2, In a device of the class described, in combination with a battery and a circuit supplied by said battery, a switch in said circuit biased to the closed position, an electro-magnet also in said circuit and adapted when energized to open said switch and thereby de-energize itself, an ignition circuit including an inductioncoil axially aligned with said electro-magnet and having primary and secondary windings, and means for utilizing the effect produced by the opening of said switch to cause a current flow in said primary winding and thereby energize said secondary winding to produce a high tension current therein.

3. In a device of the class described, in combination with a'battery and a circuit supplied by said batter'y, a switch in said circuit biased to the closed position, an electro magnet also in said circuit and adapted when energized to open said switch and thereby de-energize itself, an ignition circuit including an induction coil-axially aligned with said clcctro-magnet and having primary and secondary windings, means for utilizing the efiect produced by the opening of said switch to cause a current flow in said primary winding and thereby energize said secondary winding to produce a high tension current therein, said last named means including a capacity unit cooperating with said primary winding to eiTect an oscillatory flow of current therethrou h.

4. In a device of the class described, in combirlationwith a battery and a circuit supplied by said battery, a switch in said circuit biased to the closed position, an electro-magnetalso in said circuit and adapted when energized to open said switch and thereby de-energize itself. an induction coil axially aligned with said eleotro-magnet, and means for utilizing the inductive effect produced by the opening of said switch to cause a current flow in said induction coil and thereby energize said induction coil to produce a h ghtension current therein.

5. In a device of the class described, in combination with a battery and a circuit supplied by said battery, a switch in said circuit biased to the closed position, an electro-magnet alsoin sa d circuit and adapted when energized to open said switch and thereby de-energize itself, an induction coil axially aligned with said electro-magnet, and means for utilizing the inductive effect produced by the opening of said switch to cause a current flow in said induction coil and thereby energize said induction coil to produce a high tension current therein, said last named means including a capacity unit cooperating with said primary winding to effect an oscillatory flow of current therethrough.

6. In a device of the class described, in combination with a battery and a circuit supplied by said battery, a switchin said circuit biased to the ,closed portion, an-electro-magnet interposed in said circuit between said battery and switch and adapted when energized to open said switch and thereby de-energize itself, an ignition circuit including an induction coil having primary and secondary windings,,and means for utilizing the inductive effect produced by the opening of said switch to cause a current to oscillate through said primary winding and thereby energize said secondary winding to produce a high tension current therein.

7. In a device of the class described, in combination with a battery and a circuit supplied by said battery, a switch in said circuit biased to the closed position, an electro-magnet interposed,

between .said battery and switch and adapted when energized to open said switch, an ignition circuit including an induction coil having primary and secondary windings, and means for utilizing the inductive eifect produced by the opening of said switch to cause a current flow in said primary winding and thereby energize said secondary winding to produce a high tension current therein, said last named means including a capacity unit-cooperating with said primary winding to effect an oscillatory flow of current therethrough.

8. In a device of the class described, in combination with a battery and a circuit supplied by said battery, a switch in said circuit-biased to the closed position, an eiectro magnet interposed in said-circuit between said battery and switch and adapted when energized to open said switch. an induction coil, and means for utilizing the inductive effect produced by the opening of said switch to cause a current flow in said induction coil and thereby energize said induction coil to produce a high tension current therein said last named means including a capacity unit cooperating with said primary winding to effect an oscillatory flow of current therethrough.

9. In a device of the class described, in combination with a battery and a circuit supplied by said battery, a switch in said circuit biased to the closed position, an electro-magnet also in said circuit and interposed in said circuit between said battery and switch and adapted when energized to open said switch and thereby de'-energize itself, an ignition circuit including an induction coil axially aligned with said electro-magnet having primary and secondary windings, and means for utilizing the inductive effect produced by the opening of said switch to cause a current flow in said primary winding and thereby energize said secondary winding to produce a high tension cur-.

rent therein.

10. In a device of the class described, in combination with a battery and a circuit supplied by said battery, a switch in said circuit biased .to the closed position, an electro-magnet interposed in said circuit between said battery and switch adapted when energized to open said switch, an ignition circuit including an induction coil axially aligned with said electro-m-agnet having primary and secondary windings, and means forutilizing the inductive effect produced by the opening of said switch to cause a current flow in said primary winding and thereby energize said secondary winding to produce a high tension current therein, said last named means including a capacity unit cooperating with said primary winding to effect an oscillatory flow of current therethrough.

11. In a device of the class described, in combination with a battery and a circuit supplied by said battery, a switch in said circuit biased to the closed position, an electro-magnet also 'in said circuit and interposed in said circuit between said battery and switch and adapted when energized to open said switch and thereby de-energize itself,

iii

bination with a battery and a circuit supplied by said battery, a switch in said circuit biased to v the closed position, an electro-magnet interposed in said circuit between said battery and switch and adapted when energized to open said switch, an induction coil axially aligned with said electromagnet, and means for utilizing the inductive effect produced by the opening of said switch to cause a-current flow in said induction coil and thereby energize saidinduction coil to produce a high tension current therein, said last named means including acapacity unit cooperating with said primary winding to effect an oscillatory flow of current therethrough.

13. In a device of the class described, in combination with a battery and a circuit supplied by said battery, a switch element in said circuit tending to assume a circuit closing position, an electro-magnet interposed in said circuit between said battery and switch element and adapted when energized to open said switch, and manually releasable means for normally holding said switch open to render said electro-magnet inoperative.

14. In a device of the class described, in combination with a battery and a circuit supplied by said battery, a switch element in said circuit electro-magnet interposed in-said circuit between i said source and switch element and adapted when energized to open said switch, and manually releasable means for normally holding said switch open to render said electro-magnet inoperative.

16. In a device of the class described, in combination with a source and a circuit supplied by said source, a switch element in said circuit tending to assume a circuit closing position, an electro-mag'net interposed in said circuit between said source and switch element and adapted when energized to open said switch, and means for normally preventing energization of said electromagnet, said preventing means comprising a part engageable with said switch element to block its movement to circuit closing position.

JOSEPH w; ALLEN. 

